Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
The Hindu
Karnataka Today newsletter: KSRTC to deploy 1,000 additional buses for Christmas, and more
1. Amid BBMP, Fire and Emergency Services squabble, rooftop establishments thrive despite lax fire safety norms
Following a fire at a rooftop hookah bar on October 19, the Karnataka government ordered an audit of all rooftop bars and the closure of those without clearance. While the audit identified 243 such rooftop bars and restaurants, none have been closed so far. Instead, they continue to thrive even as the Fire and Emergency Services and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are quarrelling over who should shut them.
A senior fire official says the fire department does not have power to close these establishments as the BBMP is the licensing authority, meanwhile BBMP officials argue that only the Fire and Emergency Services can shut an establishment over violations of fire safety norms. This back and forth has lead to an impasse.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is set to deploy an additional 1,000 buses starting from December 22 for the Christmas festival. Special buses will operate routes connecting Kempegowda bus station, Mysuru Road bus station as well as Shanthinagar BMTC bus station to several districts and taluks within Karnataka as well as to places in neighbouring States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
KSRTC said a discount of 5% on the fare will be extended if four or more passengers book in a single ticket and a discount of 10% will be offered on the return journey if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials found 99 capsules containing cocaine worth ₹20 crore in the stomach of a Nigerian. Terming it one of the biggest catches of 2023, they said the accused was caught on December 11 by alert officials as soon as he landed at Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The accused, aged around 40 years, had a Nigerian passport and came to India on a medical visa. He was booked under the NDPS Act and remanded to judicial custody.
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Lokayukta Inspector Panchaksharayya Hiremath dies in car crash as his vehicle catches fire after falling into a ditch.
After its IFFR Rotterdam premiere, Nishanth Kalidindi’s Theatre (2025), inspired by Puducherry’s Indianostrum experimental troupe, comes to Kerala
Kerala High Court grants interim protection from arrest to MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in ongoing rape case, pending bail hearing.
Meta announced Friday it will integrate content from major news organisations into its artificial intelligence assistant
High Court issues notice to A.P. Advocates Association regarding plea for 33% women's reservation in upcoming elections.
Central Railway restricts platform ticket sales at 13 stations for Mahaparinirvan Diwas to manage crowding; exceptions apply.
IndiGo flights from Chennai face ongoing cancellations, but some routes, including Pune and Kochi, continue to operate.
Meta on Friday confirmed it is buying Limitless, a U.S. startup that makes a wearable pendant that records and summarises conversations and meetings with AI
High alert in Murshidabad as suspended TMC MLA plans mosque ceremony, raising communal tensions and security concerns on a sensitive date.
At least five killed, seven injured as car rams into stationary vehicle near Tamil Nadu’s Keelakarai
A tragic road accident on ECR near Keelakarai leaves five dead and seven injured, involving a DMK functionary’s vehicle.
Karnataka's Saura Swasthya initiative solarises 3,600 health centres, ensuring uninterrupted power and significant savings for rural healthcare.
A resident files a contempt petition against the Ernakulam Collector for failing to comply with a court order on tower demolition.